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About the Program

The minor in Legal Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program about law rather than vocational training in law. Recognizing the critical role that law plays in human society, it examines the ways people in different cultures and historical periods have used the law and understood its purposes. It is designed to guide students towards courses that will deepen and expand their understanding of the law as practiced, especially its influence on social and economic institutions, while also providing students with the critical skills needed to excel in law school. As such, the minor encourages students to draw not only upon the humanistic and social scientific offerings of the College of Arts and Sciences, but also to take advantage of courses in the schools of Business, Engineering, and Social Work.

The minor in Legal Studies requires six courses (18 graded units), at least three of which must be upper-division (300 or 400 level). Two of the six courses may be drawn from your major, but as in all College programs, they can not be double-counted (i.e., applied to both the major and minor). The six courses must also include at least one in three of the four thematic subject areas (see below). You may also obtain course credit though study abroad, or an undergraduate internship. Please contact the Director of Legal Studies for further details.

Approved Courses for the Minor in Legal Studies

Please Note: Not all of these courses are offered every year. In addition to those listed below, new courses being offered for the first time and courses in other divisions of the University may not be listed. Please consult the Director of Legal Studies for approval of courses not listed below. Additionally, only one course outside of the College of Arts & Sciences can count towards your minor. Courses that do not start with "L84" are outside of Arts & Scienecs.

THEME I: LEGAL REASONING, THEORY, AND METHODS

L84 105G: Introduction to Logic and Critical Analysis – same as Phil 100G (fall, spring)L84 131F: Present Moral Problems – same as Phil 131F (fall, spring)L84 312: Argumentation – same as EComp 312 (fall, spring)L84 346: Philosophy of Law – same as Phil 346 (spring)L84 362: Politics and the Theory of Games – same as Polsci 362 (spring)L84 403: Economics of Law – same as Econ 403 (spring)L84 472: Social Theory and Anthropology – same as Anthro 472 (fall)

THEME II: LAW AND CULTURE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

L84 176: Power and Persuasion: Courts and Laws of Ancient Athens – same as Classics 176 (spring)L84 2020: The Immigrant Experience – same as AMCS 2020 (fall)L84 2030: The Enigma of Thomas Jefferson – same as Hist 2030 (spring)L84 2152: Theory and Practice of Justice: The American Experience – same as Hist 2152 (fall)L84 3201: Religious Freedom in America – same as RelPol 320 (fall)L84 3255: Development of the American Constitution – same as Polsci 3255 (fall)L84 3443: Civil Rights – same as Polsci 3442 (spring)L84 3373: Law and Culture – same as Anthro 3373 (fall)L84 3713: Law in American Life I: English and Colonial TraditionL84 372C: Law in American Life II: 1776 to the Present – same as Hist 372C (spring)

THEME III: LEGAL INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIAL PRACTICES

B53 301: Legal Environment of Business Management (fall)L88 120: Social Problems and Social Issues – same as AMCS 120 (fall)L84 315: Introduction to Social Psychology – same as Psych 315 (fall, spring)L84 3371: Law and Public Policy – same as Polsci 3371 (spring)L84 3431: Constitutional Law – same as Polsci 3431 (spring)L84 344: Courts and Civil Liberties – same as Polsci 344 (fall)L84 3441: Defendant’s Rights – same as Polsci 3441 (spring)L84 3462: Politics of Privacy in the Digital Age – same as Polsci 3462 (spring)L84 3507: Legal Conflicts in Modern American Society – same as AMCS 3507 (fall)L84 3510: The Supreme Court – same as Polsci 3510 (fall)L84 3561: Law, Gender, and Justice – same as WGSS 3561 (fall, spring)L84 3562: Introduction to Forensic Psychology – same as Psych 356 (fall)L84 358: Law, Politics, and Society – same as Polsci 358 (fall)L84 390: Gender Violence – same as WGSS 393 (spring)

THEME IV: JUSTICE, ETHICS, AND THE LAW

L84 233F: Biomedical Ethics – same as Phil 233F (fall, spring)L84 235F: Introduction to Environmental Ethics – same as Phil 235F (fall, spring)L84 331: Theories of Social Justice – same as Polsci 331 (fall)L84 340F: Social and Political Philosophy – same as Phil 340F (fall)L84 389: Power, Justice, and the City – same as Polsci 389A (fall)L84 391: History of Political Thought I – same as Polsci 391 (spring)L84 392: History of Political Thought II – same as Polsci 392 (fall)L84 393: History of Political Thought III – same as Polsci 393 (spring)L84 4400: Advanced Social and Political Philosophy – same as Phil 4400 (fall)